Sickle cell trait in São Tomé e Príncipe: a population-based prevalence study in women of reproductive age.

BACKGROUND: Sickle Cell Disorder is Africa's most prevalent genetic disease. Yet, it remains a neglected condition, with high mortality under-five, and a lack of population-based studies in the region. This is the first of its kind in São Tomé e Príncipe, aiming to estimate the prevalence of sickle cell trait and other haemoglobin variants in women of reproductive age and its associated factors. METHODS: We conducted a cluster survey in 35 neighbourhoods. Haemoglobin was assessed through point-of-care capillary electrophoresis or high-performance liquid chromatography, and sociodemographic data through questionnaires. The weighted prevalence of sickle cell trait (HbAS) and HbC carriers was estimated with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). We calculated weighted prevalence ratios (95% CI) through robust Poisson regression for its association with age and individual and collective genetic heritage. FINDINGS: The prevalence of sickle cell trait in women of reproductive age in São Tomé e Príncipe (n = 376) was 13.45% (95% CI: 9.05-19.00). The prevalence of HbC carriers was 8.00% (95% CI: 4.71-12.00). Older age and speaking Forro or Angolar were positively associated with having sickle cell trait. INTERPRETATION: The prevalence of sickle cell trait in São Tomé e Príncipe ranks high in the West African region. The country should follow international guidelines, implementing newborn screening and comprehensive healthcare management.

Experimental Infection and the Effects of Temperature on the Pathogenicity of the Infectious Spleen and Kidney Necrosis Virus in Juvenile Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

The infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) is one of the most important emerging viral pathogens for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) farming. While prevalent worldwide, it has recently been detected in Brazil. However, despite the importance of the virus and the affected fish species, there are no scientific data on the effects of water temperature on disease pathogenesis in Nile tilapia. In the present study, we conducted two trials using juvenile Nile tilapia over a 15-day period. In trial 1, an experimental infection model was developed based on the intraperitoneal inoculation of active viral homogenates (4.3 × 104 virus fish-1), while control fish were similarly inoculated with inactivated viral homogenates. In trial 2, the fish were maintained at different water temperatures (26, 28, 30, 32, and 34 °C) and then infected with ISKNV. For virus detection, kidney and spleen samples were collected and analyzed by qPCR. Our results show that the disease was successfully reproduced in experimental conditions with active homogenates, with the first signs of the disease appearing on the third day after infection. In addition, a significant reduction in mortality was observed in the groups maintained at higher temperatures (>30 °C). This suggests that a treatment of the disease with non-lethal hyperthermia can be used to control the symptoms and mortality of ISKNV-infected Nile tilapia juveniles.

Artificial cornea transplantation and visual rehabilitation: an integrative review / Transplante de córnea artificial e reabilitação visual: uma revisão integrativa

ABSTRACT Due to the development of complications and the biocompatibility and scarcity of transplant donor tissues, artificial corneas, which can be used for the rehabilitation of optical functions, have been developed. The current study aimed to analyze the visual rehabilitation effects of the Boston type I keratoprosthesis, Boston type II keratoprosthesis, Aurolab keratoprosthesis, osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis, and tibial bone keratoprosthesis. Results showed that the Boston type I keratoprosthesis was the most effective for visual rehabilitation in patients with moist ocular surfaces. The Aurolab keratoprosthesis had a lower efficacy for visual rehabilitation. Nevertheless, it is still a viable option for individuals in economically restricted countries. In patients with dry eyes, the Boston type II keratoprosthesis was associated with the best visual rehabilitation. However, the final visual acuity of patients who received osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis and tibial bone keratoprosthesis implantation was not evaluated as the necessary information was not available.

RESUMO Em decorrência de complicações, da biocompatibilidade e da escassez de tecido doador para transplantes de córnea natural, foram elaboradas córneas artificiais que são potenciais para reabilitar funções ópticas. Nessa perspectiva, objetivou-se a análise da eficácia da reabilitação visual entre os implantes: Boston tipo I, Boston tipo II, Aurolab, osteo-odonto-ceratoprótese e ceratoprótese de Osso Tibial. De modo geral, a princípio observou-se uma tendência de melhoria da Best-corrected visual acuity em todos os tipos de lentes, mas considerável queda durante acompanhamento a longo prazo. O dispositivo com melhor reabilitação visual em pacientes com superfícies oculares úmidas é a Boston tipo I, seguida pela Aurolab, que é economicamente viável em países emergentes. Ao considerar pacientes com olhos secos, o implante de Boston tipo II apresenta maior reabilitação visual. Por fim, em virtude de não apresentarem dados equiparáveis, as lentes osteo-odonto-ceratoprótese e de osso tibial não puderam ser analisadas.

Assessment of the Implementation of the International Health Regulations during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Portugal as a Case Study.

INTRODUCTION: The International Health Regulations (IHR) were developed to prepare countries to deal with public health emergencies. The spread of SARS-CoV-2 underlined the need for international coordination, although few attempts were made to evaluate the integrated implementation of the IHR's core capacities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether IHR shortcomings stem from non-compliance or regulatory issues, using Portugal as a European case study due to its size, organization, and previous discrepancies between self-reporting and peer assessment of the IHR's core capacities. METHODS: Fifteen public health medical residents involved in contact tracing in mainland Portugal interpreted the effectiveness of the IHR's core capabilities by reviewing the publicly available evidence and reflecting on their own field experience, then grading each core capability according to the IHR Monitoring Framework. The assessment of IHR enforcement considered efforts made before and after the onset of the pandemic, covering the period up to July 2021. RESULTS: Four out of nine core IHR capacities (surveillance; response; risk communication; and human resource capacity) were classified as level 1, the lowest. Only two were graded level 3 (preparedness; and laboratory), the highest. The remaining three) (national legislation, policy & financing; coordination and national focal point communication; and points of entry) were classified as level 2. CONCLUSION: Portugal exemplifies the extent to which implementation of the IHR was not fully achieved, which has resulted in the underperformance of several core capacities. There is a need to improve preparedness and international cooperation in order to harmonize and strengthen the global response to public health emergencies, with better political, institutional, and financial support.

Prepandemic psychotropic drug status in Portugal: a nationwide pharmacoepidemiological profile.

The prescription of psychotropic drugs has been rising in Europe over the last decade. This study provides a comprehensive profile of prepandemic consumption patterns of antidepressant, antipsychotic, and anxiolytic drugs in Portugal considering full nationwide psychotropic drug prescription and dispensing records (2016-2019) against several criteria, including active ingredient, sociodemographics, medical specialty, and incurred costs. An increase of 29.6% and 34.7% in the consumption of antipsychotics and antidepressants between 2016 and 2019 is highlighted, accompanied by an increase of 37M Eur in total expenditure (> 20M Eur in public copay) for these classes of drugs. Disparities in sociodemographic and geographical incidence are identified. Amongst other pivotal results, 64% of psychotropic drug prescriptions are undertaken by general practitioners, while only 21% undertaken by neurological and psychiatric specialties. Nationwide patterns of psychotropic drug prescription further reveal notable trends and determinants, establishing a reference point for cross-regional studies and being currently assessed at a national level to establish psychosocial initiatives and guidelines for medical practice and training.

Therapeutic efficacy of enrofloxacin in treatment of Francisella orientalis infections in juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.).

Outbreaks of infections by Francisella orientalis represent one of the main obstacles to Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) farming. It is responsible for acute mortality in fingerlings and juveniles. The main control measure available is oral antibiotic therapy. This study compared the therapeutic efficacy of the antibiotics enrofloxacin and oxytetracycline, the most commonly used antimicrobial, against francisellosis in juvenile Nile tilapia (O. niloticus). Fish were challenged with a virulent isolate of F. orientalis and treated with medicated feed containing one of two doses of oxytetracycline (100 or 300 mg/kg of live weight (LW)) or 10 mg/kg of LW of enrofloxacin. The positive and negative control groups received feed without antibiotics; the negative control group was unchallenged. The results showed that enrofloxacin at a dose of 10 mg/kg of LW is effective against francisellosis in juvenile Nile tilapia (O. niloticus). Treatment with oxytetracycline did not eliminate the pathogen from the infected host, and the surviving fish became carriers. Enrofloxacin was able to cure the fish of infection with F. orientalis. This study suggests that enrofloxacin is a better option for treating francisellosis in Nile tilapia (O. niloticus L.). It controls mortality and avoids the carrier state in the fish, thus reducing the possibility of recurrence in the affected batches.

Saúde sem colarinhos: desafios da saúde ocupacional no advento do pós-Fordismo / No collar health: occupational health challenges with the advent of post-Fordism

Resumo Introdução: o termo pós-Fordismo refere-se a um modelo de organização laboral de acordo com a evolução dos meios de produção na segunda metade do século XX. Fruto das alterações substanciais dos mecanismos de regulação e contratação, este modelo prioriza a flexibilização e fragmentação da relação com o trabalhador. Com o advento informático, o pós-Fordismo ganha novos moldes e hiperboliza-se com as economias de plataforma em linha e a chamada uberização do trabalho. Objetivo: analisar criticamente as características do modelo pós-fordista e seus impactos à saúde ocupacional. Métodos: foi realizada uma revisão narrativa da literatura. Resultados: apontam-se para três aspectos do modelo pós-Fordista: 1) instabilidade laboral; 2) sobrecarga laboral; e 3) demanda psicossocial. Esses determinantes têm sido fortemente associados a maus resultados em saúde, sobretudo mental. Conclusões: as mudanças na conceptualização do trabalhador e do lugar do trabalho na vida do indivíduo exigem novas formas de pensar a saúde ocupacional. Para mitigar as consequências do pós-Fordismo, é necessária uma clara percepção das suas dinâmicas e uma mobilização de esforços multissetoriais.

Abstract Introduction: the term post-Fordism refers to the evolution of labour organization according to the new production models that emerged in the second half of the 20th century. As a result of substantial changes in the mechanisms of regulation and contracting, they prioritize the flexibilization and fragmentation of the employer-employee relationship. With the advent of information technology, post-Fordism gained new moulds and became hyperbolized with the online platform economies and the so-called uberization of work. Objectives: to critically analyse the characteristics of the post-Fordist model and its impacts in occupational health. Methods: this research was carried out with a review of the literature. Results: we point to three aspects of the post-Fordist model: 1) work instability; 2) work overload; and 3) psychosocial demand. The impact of these aspects, determinant on labour activities, have strong associations with bad health outcomes, especially in mental health. Conclusions: these changes in the conceptualization of workers and the place of work in their lives require new ways of thinking about occupational health. A clear perception of its dynamics, and a mobilization of multisectoral efforts, is needed to mitigate the consequences of this model.

Artificial cornea transplantation and visual rehabilitation: an integrative review.

Due to the development of complications and the biocompatibility and scarcity of transplant donor tissues, artificial corneas, which can be used for the rehabilitation of optical functions, have been developed. The current study aimed to analyze the visual rehabilitation effects of the Boston type I keratoprosthesis, Boston type II keratoprosthesis, Aurolab keratoprosthesis, osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis, and tibial bone keratoprosthesis. Results showed that the Boston type I keratoprosthesis was the most effective for visual rehabilitation in patients with moist ocular surfaces. The Aurolab keratoprosthesis had a lower efficacy for visual rehabilitation. Nevertheless, it is still a viable option for individuals in economically restricted countries. In patients with dry eyes, the Boston type II keratoprosthesis was associated with the best visual rehabilitation. However, the final visual acuity of patients who received osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis and tibial bone keratoprosthesis implantation was not evaluated as the necessary information was not available.

Internações por fraturas do fêmur em crianças e adolescentes no Brasil / Hospitalizations for femur fractures in Brazilian children and adolescents / Hospitalizaciones por fracturas de fémur en niños y adolescentes en Brasil

As fraturas do fêmur na faixa pediátrica representam uma parcela importante dos diagnósticos primários em crianças vítimas de lesões traumáticas múltiplas, contribuindo para a morbidade na faixa etária e custos ao sistema de saúde, porém, poucos estudos no país se debruçaram sobre esse agravo. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar internações por fraturas de fêmur em crianças, descrevendo sua incidência, custos e letalidade por estados do Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico, com base em dados do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares (SIH/SUS), incluindo indivíduos com idade entre 0 e 19 anos que foram internados no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) do Brasil entre janeiro de 2009 e dezembro de 2020 por causa de fratura de fêmur. Foram registradas por ano, em média, 11.204 internações de crianças com fratura de fêmur no SUS. A média anual de óbitos foi de 35,2, revelando letalidade de 0,32%. A região Sul apresentou a maior incidência relativa: 23,06 internações a cada cem mil crianças; e maior taxa de letalidade: 0,42%. A faixa etária com maior incidência relativa foi de 15 aos 19 anos, tendo 31,03 internações a cada cem mil (RP = 3,34), seguida pela de 1 aos 4 anos: 15,19 a cada cem mil (RP = 1,63). Há predomínio de incidência em meninos em relação às meninas em todas as faixas etárias (RP = 2,77). O custo médio anual para o Sistema Único de Saúde foi de R$ 17.432.079,69. As fraturas do fêmur em crianças apresentaram incidência de 18 casos para cada cem mil indivíduos na faixa pediátrica, próxima à registrada em outros países. Porém, a letalidade encontrada foi mais baixa do que em outros estudos.

Femur fractures in children and adolescents represent an important portion of the primary diagnoses in children victims of multiple traumatic injuries, contributing to morbidity in this age group and costs to the health system; however, few studies in Brazil have focused on this issue. Hence, this study sought to characterize hospitalizations for femur fractures in children, describing their incidence, costs and lethality per Brazilian state. An ecological study was conducted with data collected from the Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS), including individuals aged between 0 and 19 years who were admitted to the Unified Health System (SUS) between January 2009 and December 2020, due to femur fracture. An average of 11,204 hospitalizations of children with femur fracture were registered per year in the SUS. Annual average of deaths was 35.2, with a lethality rate of 0.32%. Southern Brazil showed the highest relative incidence: 23.06 hospitalizations per 100,000 children. Adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years presented the highest relative incidence: 31.03 hospitalization per 100,000 (PR = 3.34), followed by children aged 1 to 4 years: 15.19 per 100,000 (PR = 1.63). Results show a predominance of incidence in boys compared with girls in all age groups (PR = 2.77). Mean annual cost to the National Health System was $ 3,328,002 dollars. Femur fractures in children had an incidence of 18 cases per 100,000 individuals in this age group, close to that recorded in other countries. However, the lethality found was lower than in other studies.

Las fracturas de fémur en la edad pediátrica representan una porción importante de los diagnósticos primarios en niños víctimas de traumatismos múltiples, lo que contribuye a la morbilidad en la edad pediátrica y a los costos para el sistema de salud; sin embargo, pocos estudios en el país se han centrado en este problema. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar las hospitalizaciones por fracturas de fémur en niños, con la descripción de su incidencia, costos y letalidad según los estados de Brasil. Este es un estudio ecológico, realizado a partir de los datos del Sistema de Información Hospitalaria (SIH/SUS), sobre el grupo de población con edades entre 0 y 19 años, hospitalizados en el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) por fractura del fémur en Brasil en el período entre enero de 2009 y diciembre de 2020. En el período estudiado, se ha registrado en promedio 11.204 hospitalizaciones de niños por fractura de fémur en el SUS. Hubo un promedio anual de muertes de 35,2, con letalidad del 0,32%. La región Sur tuvo la mayor incidencia relativa: 23,06 hospitalizaciones por cada 100.000 niños, y la mayor tasa de letalidad: 0,42%. El grupo de edad entre 15 y 19 años tuvo mayor incidencia relativa, con 31,03 hospitalizaciones por 100 mil (RP = 3,34), seguido de 1 a 4 años: 15,19 por 100 mil (RP = 1,63). Hubo un predominio de incidencia en los niños sobre las niñas en todos los grupos de edad (RP = 2,77). El costo promedio anual para el Sistema Único de Salud en hospitalizaciones por esa patología fue de R$ 17.432.079,69. Las fracturas de fémur en niños tuvieron una incidencia de 18 casos por 100.000 individuos en el grupo de edad pediátrica, similar a lo encontrado en otros países. Sin embargo, la letalidad encontrada fue menor que la de otros estudios.

Cordon sanitaire, a necessary evil? Evaluation of non-pharmacological interventions against COVID-19 in Ovar, Portugal.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: From March 17 to April 17, 2020, the Portuguese municipality of Ovar was submitted to a cordon sanitaire due to a COVID-19 outbreak. During this period a whole Public Health structure had to be built up to respond to the healthcare needs of the population. The aim of this work is to contribute to the evidence on the efficacy of cordon sanitaire as an epidemic control strategy. METHODS: All the major institutions in Ovar, both health and socially related, were called from the first day to form a Crisis Cabinet. Case tracking was assured by the creation of an online database. A major telephone network oversaw contact tracing, isolation mandates and surveillance. A massive testing structure was built up, and clinical assistance was assured by the local hospital and the Primary Care units. Patient referral to testing and clinical visits were made through online forms that allowed an efficient response and data for epidemiologic research. RESULTS: A decline in the daily number of cases was seen after an incubation period (14 days), confirming lockdown was effective in blocking transmission chains. Besides, neighbouring municipalities were not significantly affected in relation to others. Lethality was bigger in Ovar than in whole Portugal. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in the incidence, in the reproductive number and the non-affection of neighbouring municipalities appear to prove the cordon sanitaire as an effective Public Health measure to contain epidemics. However, an appropriate mitigation strategy must be adopted to conceal the challenge.

Self and world experience in non-affective first episode of psychosis.

A disturbance of "minimal self," - of the immediate sense of mine-ness inherent in experience-is hypothesized to be the core disturbance in schizophrenia. Research with the Examination of Anomalous Self Experience (EASE) has demonstrated the selective aggregation of anomalous self-experiences in the schizophrenia spectrum. Conceptual research suggests that anomalous world experiences, including changes in the experience of space, time, and other persons, occur alongside anomalous self-experiences and are an important aspect of subjectivity in schizophrenia. The Examination of Anomalous World Experience (EAWE) is a recently published interview format designed to explore changes in world experience in schizophrenia. In the current study, 24 hospital outpatients with non-affective first-episode psychosis and 24 healthy-control participants were assessed with the EAWE and the EASE. First episode psychosis patients had total EAWE and EASE scores that were both, on average, significantly higher than the healthy-control group. EAWE and EASE scores were highly correlated, even after removing overlapping items. The distribution of EAWE items and subtypes in the first-episode psychosis sample was heterogeneous. We conclude that anomalous world experiences represent a relevant aspect of first-episode psychosis, and that they may be related to the self-disturbances thought to underlie schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Streptococcus agalactiae Sequence Type 283 in Farmed Fish, Brazil.

In 2016 and 2017, we characterized outbreaks caused by Streptococcus agalactiae serotype III sequence type (ST) 283 in Nile tilapia farms in Brazil. Whole-genome multilocus sequence typing clustered the fish isolates together with the zoonotic ST283 and other STs related to cases in humans, frogs, dogs, cattle, and dolphins.

[Pathogenic bacteria dissemination by ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in two hospitals in northeast Brazil]. / Disseminação de bactérias patogênicas por formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) em dois hospitais do nordeste do Brasil.

Nosocomial infections bring a high risk to the health of hospital patients and employees. Ants are common organisms in Brazilian hospitals, where they can act as dispersers of opportunistic microorganisms in places they forage. The occurrence of multi-resistant bacteria carried by ants was analyzed in two public hospitals (HA and HB) in southeastern Bahia, Brazil. In these two hospitals 132 workers belonging to three ant species were collected. The bacteria associated to these ants were identified and their susceptibility to antibiotics was evaluated. More than half (57.3%) of ants collected in HA were associated with some kind of bacteria, with 26.7% of them being opportunist bacteria, while 84,2% of the ants from HB presented associated bacteria growth, with 61.4% of them being opportunist bacteria. Twenty four species of bacteria were isolated. The Gram-positive bacilli of the genus Bacillus were the most frequent, followed by the Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative bacilli (family Enterobacteriaceae) and Gram-negative non-fermenters bacilli. The profile of sensitivity of the bacterial isolates to drugs pointed out the existence of multi-resistant isolates carried by ants. For the first time, are reported cases of the same bacterial resistant isolates taken form homospecific ant workers that point out the importance of ants to bacteria dissemination and proliferation in a hospital. Our results suggest that the risk of contamination presented by these ants is similar to the one of any other mechanical vector of bacterial dissemination.

Disseminação de bactérias patogênicas por formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) em dois hospitais do nordeste do Brasil / Pathogenic bacteria dissemination by ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in two hospitals in northeast Brazil

Nosocomial infections bring a high risk to the health of hospital patients and employees. Ants are common organisms in Brazilian hospitals, where they can act as dispersers of opportunistic microorganisms in places they forage. The occurrence of multi-resistant bacteria carried by ants was analyzed in two public hospitals (HA and HB) in southeastern Bahia, Brazil. In these two hospitals 132 workers belonging to three ant species were collected. The bacteria associated to these ants were identified and their susceptibility to antibiotics was evaluated. More than half (57.3 percent) of ants collected in HA were associated with some kind of bacteria, with 26.7 percent of them being opportunist bacteria, while 84,2 percent of the ants from HB presented associated bacteria growth, with 61.4 percent of them being opportunist bacteria. Twenty four species of bacteria were isolated. The Gram-positive bacilli of the genus Bacillus were the most frequent, followed by the Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative bacilli (family Enterobacteriaceae) and Gram-negative non-fermenters bacilli. The profile of sensitivity of the bacterial isolates to drugs pointed out the existence of multi-resistant isolates carried by ants. For the first time, are reported cases of the same bacterial resistant isolates taken form homospecific ant workers that point out the importance of ants to bacteria dissemination and proliferation in a hospital. Our results suggest that the risk of contamination presented by these ants is similar to the one of any other mechanical vector of bacterial dissemination.